As we recognize May 20 as Florida Emancipation Day, the day in 1865 when the black people of the state were officially granted their full rights as American citizens including freedom from bondage, we discuss the full meaning of emancipation. Looking at an African philosophy call Umbutu, we looked at the interdependence between the individual and the group. Umbutu is often translated as “I am because we are.” Under the Umbutu philosophy, the individual is strengthened by the group, and the group has strengthened the individual. Like a child reaching the age of adulthood, emancipation is when an individual becomes a fully entitled, fully self-determining member of a group. Emancipation gives us rights and responsibilities.

Although greed and avarice are the roots of many vicious things done for money, the Bible urges us to manage money with faithfulness according to our ability. Jesus the Christ gave us the parable of the talents to help encourage us to manage money with faithfulness. When we manage money faithfully, the Master of the Universe will bless us with greater opportunities. After all, God wants us all to have prosperity and good health.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day 2021, we look at how mothers demonstrate the Divine traits of illumination, vivification, and nourishing their children. We see the All-pervading, All-powerful nature of God as inclusive of the feminine, motherly principle. We see God as both a Mother and a Father to us, without diminishing the goodness of God in either idea.  As we recognize God as a Divine Mother, we realize that so many women on each daily reflect the blessing and compassion of God in their lives. This compassion also is depicted in the Sacred Heart of Mary icons.

According to Revelations, he that overcomes will eat from the tree of life (Rev. 1:7). As we look at the symbolism of trees throughout religious philosophies, trees represent our connection to the higher planes of life. In our order, we recognize our Maypole celebrations as a prayer for harmony for all people as we are blessed with all the wonderful gifts of God.